Programs

PROJECT OF POSSIBILITY EDUCATION: INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM AT SEGOU SENEGAL

In the regions of Kaffrine and Kedougou Senegal, families believing that a disabled child will never be able to become a productive member of the family, generally refuse to spend the resources required to send these children to school. Without an education, and with little support from their families, children with disabilities often find themselves forced to rely on the charity of their families, neighbors, and others in order to live. A handicapped child is at a particular disadvantage, as they will generally be expected to remain at home to cook and clean. Their family may not support efforts to receive an education or to go out and work, and they will often have difficulty finding a spouse as they grow older due to the perception that a handicapped adults cannot be a productive family member.

Senegal’s economic growth is affected by the condition of its children. The size and the competitiveness of an economy are determined partly by how many girls complete their education with marketable skills. In the majority of Senegalese rural schools, teaching and learning conditions are not yet stimulating. Over-enrollment, the absence of teaching materials, weak management and organization, the absence of water and sanitation, the long distance traveled by children from rural areas, malnutrition and health problems, the poverty and non comprehension of the importance of public school education of parents are all issues that compromise the efforts to make the larger community more economically stable and politically effective. The WHEPSA Including All: PROJECT OF POSSIBILITY EDUCATION: INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM AT SEGOU SENEGAL, program will ensure that disabled children begin and remain in school.

GOAL

OBJECTIVE

ACTIVITY

1. Initially, enroll 12 disabled visually, motor , speech and hearing students in two classroom in the village school in Segou

1.1 Develop list of potential students for these schools

Meet with parents and village chiefs.

Obtain health assessments of all potential students

Meet with local school administrators to review all project aspects.

1.2 Select classroom and teachers and assistants

Review and correct classroom accessibilities

Train teachers and assistants

1.3 Select students and begin classes

Arrange housing and meals for students

Arrange accompanied transport for students to and from school

Obtain necessary supplies and equipment to assure the best possible scenario for students

2. Establish an advisory council

2.1 Form a local planning group committed to students in inclusive education

Review resources and appropriation

Research allocations and outside support

2.2 Identify barriers to effective education

Access and address barriers to students education and social integration

Implement immediate and long term positive actions to remove barriers

3. Provide training and technical assistance to parents, teachers, assistants and other support personnel

3.1 Create a support international network linking inclusive schools

Develop awareness and training materials

Promote parent advocacy and the interest of teachers to develop planning for individual students

3.2 Create a local support network of and for parents and family groups

Education

The after school program is run everyday in every locality. 10,000 Girls supports dedicated and qualified teachers, who volunteer to tutor the girls in subjects such as French, Math, Geography, History, and others. The teachers assist the girls in developing techniques that will augment their ability to pass their exams.

The after school program gives the girls the means to succeed by providing them with a place to study, a time to study, and books and other basic school supplies. 10,000 Girls organizes annual distributions of notebooks, pens, paper and other essentials.

The Book Mobile is a crucial part of the education program. Each month, books are transported to rural villages and small towns, and checked out of this traveling library truck by local children.

Hundreds of children in each locality get access to something as simple as a book. Through this program, children can improve their literacy in French, Arabic, English and some local languages such as Wolof, Pulaar, and Serer.

Entrepreneurship

The entrepreneurship program teaches girls a craft or trade, business basics, and provides them with a work space to create high quality products. The activities are run in three locations: Kaolack, Kaemor & Koungheul. Products include handcrafted dolls & linens, bakery items, and an upcoming line of Bissap infused teas. The girls run the businesses and own 100% of the profits. They have chosen to donate 49% of their profits to the educational program of 10,000 Girls!

Aissatou shows a doll that she has handmade in the workshop. Kaolack, Senegal.

Veronique displays a doll she is handcrafting in the workshop. Kaolack, Senegal.

Viola displays and sells the girls handcrafted items at an expo. Dakar, Senegal.